NSW wine region to visit

[Waiters Friend]

Hello

Looking for some advice, please.

I will be in Sydney mid-March for a conference, which (not coincidently, I suspect) finishes on a Friday. I am looking at extending my stay into Monday or Tuesday of the following week.

If you were to hire a car (or motorbike) and head for a wine region in reasonable driving time, which would it be? I was in the Hunter 16 years ago, but suspect it has changed a little . I also drove through Canberra and surrounding regions at the same time, but did not visit wineries (unlike Hunter).

I'd appreciate your advice on:

1. Which region you would choose, and why?
2. Which wineries to go for?
3. Any other attractions, eateries, etc, etc?

Thanks

Allan

[sjw_11]

Even though you've been to the Hunter before I'd still say go there over around Canberra... theres much more infrastructure in place, no need to call ahead, plenty of excellent wineries to choose from located close to each other, and for Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz its a genuine benchmark region.

Some of my personal favourites in the Hunter are Briar Ridge Estate, Brokenwood, Hungerford Hill, and McLeish Estate, but there are plenty of others.

There is wonderful cheese/gourmet shop at the Tempus Two cellar door which does great platters for a light lunch. If you stay the night the disturbingly named Swill n' Grill bistro at the Australian pub in Cessnock has the best value & most delicious steak/meat platter Ive yet encountered.

[rita]

Allan,

It depends on how much time you have, and also what kind of wines you prefer.

The Hunter certainly has changed hugely in the last few years. It has the best infrastructure , and according to James Halliday over 30 wineries wih 5*.
Personal favourites are David Hook, LAke's Folly (although don't bother visiting their cellar door as they sell out every year), McWilliams Mount Pleasant (for their Semillion) and Pepper Tree. Restaurants abound, Emersons, Esca Bimbadgen and The Old George and Dragon. There's also quite a lot of adventure sports up there too, including hot air ballooning

If you prefer cooler climate wines then you should definitely consider Canberra or even the Southern Highlands which is closest to Sydney.

Canberra - Coller climate wines. Great Viognier and Shiraz Viognier. Wineries I woudl recommend include Lerida Estate ( they have a geat Shiraz Viognier) and nice cafe, Jeir Creek for their Chardonnay, Mount Majura and of course Clonakilla. Visit Poachers Pantry for fabulous delifoods. Lots of good restaurants Grazing, Courgette, Waters edge. What else to do - well take a free tour of parliament, visit the National Museum of Australia, Visit the War Memorial, Cycle around Lake burley Griffin....

Southern Highlands - in around the towns of Mittagong, Berrima and Bowral. Very pretty region - Much coooler climate here - Tertini (Fabulous Pinot Noir and Arneis), Joadja (for their old world style Chardy), Centennial for the broadest range of wines you will ever taste and a decent restaurant. McVitty Grove have a good restauraunt and a bonus find here was the wine list. The owner has put some of his personal collection on the wine list at the restauraunt which was a small trasure trove of gems, including some older Clonikkilla SV's.
Berrima Historic Village is full of craft shops, has two good pubs and the the superb Eschalot Restaurant. Also highly recommended is Essex Studio restaurant, that will allow you to BYO.

[LiquorLover]

This has been very very helpful. I live in Canberra and am looking for some quick little day trips around the region. Do people suggest self guided tour or a payed group tour? I don't want to risk a breath test after wine tasting, my stained black mouth will be a dead give away.

Like I said in my forum introduction, I live in Canberra. So if anyone is coming through just shoot me a message and do some wine sharing. I am starting to build up a good little cellar.